A friend purchased twisted wire rings to put in her garden pond & bird baths to keep the "green" down...the vendor claimed the rings were treated (they looked like just plain, copper wire) have you heard of this before? and does it work?

While I have never heard of this before, it sounds simple.

Copper oxide can kill off algae. Some boat paints have copper oxides in them to prevent algae from forming on the hull of the boat.

Is it just plain copper wire? Yes is my bet. As oxygen in the water gets at the copper wire and causes it to oxidize, it is slowly released in to the water.

Sounds like a good idea and I am going to put a ring of copper in my bird bath tonight. I will let you all know.

I don't know if it will kill off all types algae.

WOW, I'm just wondering - would the copper oxide harm the birds or pond fish?

I don't think so Di. As with anything, must be used in moderation.

Hadn't heard of copper in bird baths, but if you put copper wire in the ground, tree roots will turn away from it...Ex. Put copper wire in ground at your drive way ( or house foundation) and tree roots will turn around and go the other way...

Thanks WOW, I'm going to try that. I've several birdbaths around the grounds and it's a job keeping them clean.

Don, I hadn't heard of that one either. Good to know. Too bad septic systems/leach lines don't come in copper..but the the price would probably be beyond anyone reach and as soft as I've seen copper tubing to be perhaps it wouldn't hold up that well with ground movement, etc....LOL This is earthquake country.